BOSTON -- After scoring five runs in the third, the Boston Red Sox looked set to cruise to the ALCS.
The Rays gradually eroded the lead over the night and eventually tied the game in the eighth. However, Boston showed the resilience that made them the league leader in comeback wins during regular season. They won a 6-5 walk-off victory that propelled the Red Sox into the ALCS. This was a season that few thought would see the Red Sox playing so deep into the postseason.
After Christian Vazquez had singled on a groundball, Boston scored the winning run with a walk-off sacrifice flight from outfielder Kik Hernandez. Christian Arroyo then moved Boston to second base via a sacrifice bunt. Travis Shaw's infield single set Hernandez up, who was crucial in helping the Red Sox get to the ALCS.
J.P. Feyereisen, eighth Tampa Bay pitcher, was evicted. Garrett Whitlock won the game after pitching two innings and allowing no hits or runs. Whitlock was brought in by Ryan Brasier, who lost the save for Boston. Whitlock allowed two runs to Tampa Bay on an RBI double for Kevin Kiermaier as well as an RBI single for Randy Arozarena in the eighth.
